Woody Johnson sensed his struggling New York Jets needed a change — and now.
So the owner made the stunning decision Tuesday to fire coach Robert Saleh just five games into his fourth season after the team’s 2-3 start following a 23-17 loss to Minnesota in London on Sunday.
“This is one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” Johnson said during a conference call with reporters. “I wanted to give this team the most opportunity to win this season. I feel that we had to go in a different direction and that’s why I did that today.
“This change, the change that we made today — that I made — I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins, starting now.”
Saleh was 20-36 as coach of the Jets, who are trying to snap the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons. The move marks the first time in Johnson’s 25-year tenure that a head coach has been fired during the season.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season — with the Jets maintaining expectations to make the playoffs.
“He’s going to add a spark of positivity,” Johnson said of Ulbrich.